INLAND TURKEY FROM ISTANBUL TO CANAKKALE

We will then pick you up in our deluxe air-conditioned bus and, past the Intercontinental bridge, you will travel to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. Ankara is as an important trade center and a major intersection in the road network of the country. Upon your arrival you will have dinner and a good night's sleep.

Greca Tip: Wander around the cobblestone streets and check out the shops located within old Ottoman houses for an experience that is far removed from the city’s hectic energy.

After a tasty breakfast, you will visit the city and some of its most attractive landmarks, such as the Mausoleum of Ataturk, dedicated to the founder of the Turkish Republic, the Museum of Anatolian Civilizations with exhibitions from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic, Hittite, and Phrygian Urartu past of central Anatolia. 

In the afternoon, you will depart for Cappadocia, a marvelous and fascinating region of lunar landscapes, formed over the centuries in the thick and soft layer of lavas sculpted by the two nearby volcanoes.

On your way there, you will stop at one of the 36 underground cities of Cappadocia, which was built by Christian communities as protection from Muslim Arabs. The stables, storage, and other standard rooms are perfectly preserved in the soft volcanic rock.

Upon arrival at your destination, you will check in at your hotel, have dinner, and enjoy a good rest.

Greca Tip: Watch a unique panorama in Göreme and learn more about the cultural heritage of Turkey and the Cappadocia region.

On this day, you will focus on exploring the beautiful region of Cappadocia. After a satisfying breakfast, your first stop will be the Göreme Valley. Here, you can visit the open-air museum and witness the ancient villages where cave dwellers lived in prehistoric times. You will also have the opportunity to explore the underground cities.

The Göreme Valley holds historical significance as it is where St. Basil the Great and his Christian brothers brought together the ideas of Christianity. You can explore the various churches, chapels, and monasteries in the area, which feature ancient frescoes painted on their walls.

Next, you will head to the Troglodyte Village of Uçhisar and the Avcilar Valley, which offer breathtaking landscapes. The unique rock formations in these areas will leave you in awe.

Continuing your journey, you will pass through the Devrent Valley, also known as the Imaginary Valley. Here, you will encounter peculiar rock formations that resemble mushrooms and other animal shapes.

To complete your day, you will visit local artisan workshops, including carpet-making and jewelry shops that specialize in translucent onyx stones, which are highly sought after.

After a fulfilling day of exploration, you will return to your hotel, where you can enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night.

Greca Tip: While in Cappadocia, a hot-air balloon ride over the historic cave dwellings of Goreme Town is simply a must!

After a filling breakfast and early in the morning, you will leave for Pamukkale, meaning 'cotton castle' in Turkish. On your way there you will stop at the Old Palace and Medieval Fort of Caravanserai built along the trade route that once led to Persia and where merchants from the East and West used to rest, stock up on supplies, and socialize.

Upon your arrival, you will have free time to familiarize yourself with the city and maybe visit Pamukkale's terraces full of travertine from the hot thermal springs of the area. You will spend the night here in Pamukkale and enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Greca Tip: Take advantage of your free time to take a dip in the thermal pools of your hotel.

After breakfast, we will visit Hierapolis, an ancient Hellenistic city declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We will explore the ruins of the Necropolis and the ancient Roman baths, as well as the natural park known as the "Cotton Castle," which, due to its natural beauty and the properties of its thermal waters, has been attracting visitors since pre-Christian times.

Later, we will enjoy some free time for lunch, and then we will head to Meryemana, where we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary, the supposed last residence of the mother of Jesus.

We will continue to Ephesus, the ancient Roman capital of Asia Minor, where Cleopatra, Mark Antony, and the Apostle Saint Paul walked. In Ephesus, we will visit the ruins of the Odeon, the Arch of Hercules, the Library of Celsus, the Greco-Roman Theatre, as well as the Agora and the Basilica of Saint John.

In the late afternoon, we will arrive at the hotel for check-in and dinner.

Greca Tip: The word Kusadasi means "Island of the Birds." Although cruises dominate the scene!

After breakfast, you'll depart for the ancient city of Pergamon, which was a significant cultural, commercial, and medical hub in Asia Minor during ancient times. Your guide will let you know the exact time to leave.

The name of the city lives on as a distorted version of the word ‘pergamini’ or 'parchment', which refers to the paper made from treated sheepskins that competed with papyrus as a writing material.

In Pergamon, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Asclepion, a place where death was forbidden to enter and an ancient therapeutic center dedicated to Asclepius, the god of medicine. The famous physician Galen once lived here.

Afterward, your journey will continue to Troy, where you'll visit the archaeological site that served as the backdrop for the Trojan War, famously described in Homer's epic poem, the Iliad.

Once you're done exploring Troy, you'll head to Canakkale, where you'll check in at your hotel, enjoy a delicious dinner, and get some rest.

Greca Tip: Take a leisurely stroll along Canakkale's waterfront and don't forget to capture a photo of yourself in front of the wooden Trojan horse model used in the 2004 movie, Troy.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will cross the Dardanelles Strait by ferry and head toward the historic Gallipoli Peninsula, one of the most emotional sites in Turkey and a key location of World War I. During the tour, we will visit the Gallipoli battlefields, paying tribute to the fallen soldiers on both sides.

The itinerary continues to the ANZAC Commemorative Site, where official remembrance ceremonies are held each year, followed by visits to the Mehmetçik Soldier Monument, symbol of mutual respect between former enemies; the Australian Lone Pine Memorial; and Johnston’s Jolly, where the original trenches are still preserved.

The day concludes with visits to the 57th Turkish Regiment Memorial, The Nek, and the New Zealand Chunuk Bair Memorial, located on one of the most strategic hills of the conflict. After completing the visits, we will depart for Istanbul. Arrival at the hotel in the evening and overnight stay.

Greca Tip: Gallipoli is a place of deep reflection and remembrance. Take a moment of silence at the memorials and notice how the landscape itself tells the story of one of the most poignant chapters of World War I.